STREET. DENIS, France (AP) — The story of Sha’Carri Richardson’s comeback hit a brick wall Saturday when Julien Alfred won the 100 meters in 10. 72 seconds to blow up the box and give his island nation its first-ever Olympic medal. Saint Lucia.
Running in a lane to Richardson’s left, and in the pouring rain on the violet track of the Stade de France, Alfred got going and beat Richardson by 0. 15 seconds, or about 3 squares in length.
Richardson’s teammate, Melissa Jefferson, finished third in 10. 92 seconds.
– NBC Olympics and Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
Earlier on Saturday, Richardson overcame a slow start to qualify for the Olympic 100m final. She also finished second behind Alfred, 0. 05 seconds off her time of 10. 84 in the semifinals.
Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was unexpectedly eliminated from that semi-final, meaning the two-time Olympic champion did not compete for a third gold medal in the event.
Richardson and Alfred entered the race as both in the Olympic draw to time 10. 8 seconds this year.
Fraser-Pryce’s withdrawal meant that the entire podium of the final Olympic 100 meters, adding Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah, were in the final.
No American has won Olympic gold in the 100 meters since Gail Devers in 1996. Marion Jones won the 100 meters in 2000, but was later stripped of the medal for doping.
The medals up for grabs on Saturday were in the men’s shot put, women’s triple jump, 4×400 medley relay and decathlon.
Earlier in the day, Noah Lyles finished second (10. 04) in a slow first-round heat to advance to the men’s 100-meter semifinals. The semi-finals and final are set for Sunday.